The Kane Mate Series Book 2: Alpha Xander

Cassia

“I really don’t know about this…,” I remark softly, pulling uncomfortably at the hem of the super short, super tight dress I’m wearing. I’ve never in my life worn anything so revealing. I feel as though I might as well be naked.

So much skin is already showing. The dress barely covers my ass and is backless. It fits like a second skin and is a pretty, shimmery rose-gold color.

Staring into the full-length mirror, I continue to fidget, wobbling in my four-inch heels. “Oh, come on, Cas!” Elena whines from where she is sitting on the edge of my bed. “You look hot! Xander’s eyes will literally bug out of his head when he sees you!” she exclaims, her huge grin reflected in the mirror.

“I agree! You are smokin’ in that dress! You will have men eating out of the palm of your hand, and Xander will definitely want to lay claim!” Isa chimes in, just as excitedly as Elena.

I roll my eyes at her, and her grin widens. My lips purse together as I tilt my head, continuing to stare and debate my attire. Admittedly, I do look quite sexy in it.

My curves are accentuated, and my legs look longer with the tall heels. My black hair is styled in voluptuous curls that are pulled up to show off my bare back. Soft tendrils frame my face where Isa and Elena have already done my makeup.

My brown eyes look bigger and brighter, and my lips appear shiny and plump. I have a pretty glow that I’ve never had before. Finally, I let out a huff of defeat.

I may not feel comfortable in this outfit, but they are right. If I don’t catch Xander’s attention looking like this, then there is no hope for us. Turning around to them, I hold my hands out to the side as though telling them to take one last look.

“You look perfect! Let’s head out!” Isa squeals.

“Wait, wait!” Elena shouts, jumping to her feet. “Let me link Carlos first!”

We both give her silent nods before her eyes glaze over. Just a moment later, they clear, and she gives us a big toothy grin. “Okay, we can go now.”

I quickly grab the small wristlet that holds my cellphone and other necessities, and we walk out of my room, locking the door behind us. As the three of us walk down the hallway toward the elevator, I notice that we are getting a lot of stares from the male wolves we pass. I can’t say I blame them.

Isa and Elena are looking gorgeous as well, Isa with her red A-line mini dress and Elena in her black body-con dress. As we reach the lift from one direction, three tall figures come from another. I look up and see Xander’s eyes roaming over my body hungrily as they start at my feet and slowly travel to my face, sending shivers up my spine.

“Hey, ladies!” Carlos states with a smug smile. “Where are you guys off to?”

“We’re taking Cassia out for a girls’ night,” Elena answers her brother with a smirk. They seem to be enjoying this. Xander hasn’t taken his eyes off me, but at Elena’s words, his brow furrows.

“You’re not going out like that,” he says firmly.

My eyes widen, not sure how to react. Part of me is annoyed at him trying to control me when he has been ignoring me since I got to Crescent City. The other part of me is happy that it seems like he actually does care about me in some way.

I mean, if he didn’t, he wouldn’t care about what I wear out, right? Before I have the chance to figure out how to respond, Isa chimes in, “Why not? She looks amazing! Doesn’t she?” Her tone is somehow both accusatory and leading as I watch Xander’s jaw clench.

“Got that damn right!” Carlos agrees with a smile. He then leans toward me a bit and adds in a softer, more serious voice, “You look gorgeous, Cas.”

Heat instantly spreads up me as it causes my cheeks to flush. At the same time, Xander growls lowly as he yanks Carlos away from me so that Xander is standing between us. He turns to shoot Carlos a withering glare, but Carlos remains unaffected as he gives my mate a smug smirk.

Before Xander has the chance to put up any more of a fight, Elena exclaims, “Well, boys! It’s been fun, but we gotta go! Adios!”

Elena grabs my hand and drags me into the elevator as the doors ding open for us. I can feel Xander’s stare on me and chance a glance up at him. There is a swirl of emotions in his eyes that I can’t decipher.

I really wish I knew what his deal was. Our eyes lock on each other until the doors close shut between us. Soon, we are walking up to a building that has loud music blaring through the walls.

A line wraps around the corner from the main entrance and is stanchioned off as a guard checks IDs at the door. I frown, not in the mood to stand around for an hour in these heels, just waiting to get in. However, as I’m about to head toward the back of the line, Isa grabs my arm and pulls me in the opposite direction.

We walk right up to the bouncer, who immediately lets us through. “Good evening, Miss Isa, Miss Elena. How are you fine ladies doing tonight?”

“We’re doing great, Marcus. Just taking our girl Cassia out for a night of fun!” Isa tells him as she pulls me forward so that Marcus can get a better view of me.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Cassia. I hope you ladies enjoy your night,” he replies with a kind expression.

I nod my head at him with a small smile before Elena adds, “Remember her face, Marcus. She’s a VIP too, so if she ever shows up without us, make sure you let her in without any problems.”

“You got it, E,” he replies before looking at me once more and shooting me a playful wink. My cheeks heat up once again before I’m corralled into the club by Isa and Elena.

I’m immediately led to the bar where Isa orders six shots of tequila. My eyes widen. Six? Why on earth do we need six of those?

The bartender gives her a smile and a nod before quickly pouring out the shots and sliding them over to us. Elena then grabs some lime slices and places them on a napkin between us before grabbing some salt. I watch in confusion, waiting to see what is about to happen.

“Alrighty, ladies, drink up! I want to get my dance on!” Isa shouts over the music.

She takes my hand in hers and places some salt on it before doing the same to hers and passing it to Elena. She licks the salt off, and I follow her lead before she takes one of the shots of tequila, then sucks a lime slice. My face scrunches together as the liquid seems to burn my mouth.

Holy shit. That stuff is strong. And disgusting. Why would anyone drink this?

She grabs my hand again and we repeat the process, finishing off the second round of shots. My body is heating up and my head feels a bit foggy. My whole being seems to be disconnecting somehow as the blinking lights swirl around me.

We order some drinks before carrying them out to the dance floor with us. Normally, I’m pretty self-conscious, but for some reason that’s not the case right now. I begin to sway my hips and move my body, mimicking some of the dance moves I see around me.

I’ve never done this before. Like none of it. I’ve never drunk tequila, or really anything but a bit of wine with dinner.

I’ve never gone out to a club. I’ve never danced. I’m not sure if I’m even doing it right.

I feel like I am, but who knows? The room seems to be spinning. Or is that me?

I like this song. It has a good beat. We continue to dance among the crowd.

My body is covered in a light sheen of sweat and bodies are bumping into each other left and right. I take a sip of my drink.

“I like this one! It tastes sweeter, a bit fruity. Mmmm…,” I announce before I take another sip as I continue to dance. Isa gives me a smile and a thumbs up.

Elena yells, “It’s called a Sex on the Beach!”

My eyes widen in shock and embarrassment. “It’s a what?!”

Elena and Isa laugh. “The name of the drink is Sex on the Beach. It’s like a mix of vodka, peach schnapps, and a couple different fruit juices. It’s good, right?” Isa explains.

“Mmm…yeah. It’s delicious. I’ll definitely want more,” I agree wholeheartedly as I nod my head. They giggle and we keep dancing as the song changes.

As I sway and move, I close my eyes, and there is suddenly a feeling of someone’s hands on my hips. I don’t take any notice of it as I continue to move along with the music. Isa takes my hand and pulls me toward her, and the hands drop from my hips.

I look over to see an unfamiliar man as Elena says something in his ear. The next thing I know, they start dancing together. At least, I think it’s dancing.

They kind of just seem to be rubbing against each other. I don’t pay them any mind as I continue what I’m doing, drinking and dancing, sipping and swaying. “You guys were right! Girls’ nights are fun! We should do this more often!” I cheer, causing them both to chuckle.

“Of course we were right! We’d never lie to you about something like this, Cas!” Elena shouts back, the man’s arms wrapped around her as their bodies move in sync. Too soon, my drink is gone.

I hold the glass up to Isa as I say, “I’m going to go get another.” My voice sounds weird.

“I’ll go with you!” she replies before gesturing at Elena, who quickly parts from the grinding man to come with us. We reach the bar, and as Elena flags down the bartender, Isa turns to look at me seriously.

“Cas, when was the last time you drank alcohol?”

With an exaggerated frown, I tilt my head to the side as I try to think. “Hmm…well, I’ve only ever had some occasional wine at dinner… Does that count?”

Her eyes widen in surprise as her mouth makes a perfect ‘o’ shape. “I didn’t realize that you don’t drink! No wonder!” She lets out a chuckle before looking over her shoulder at Elena and tapping her to get her attention.

“Get Cas a glass of water,” she says to her. She nods and turns quickly back to the bartender.

“Cassia! Is that you?!” A male voice suddenly calls from behind me. At first, I don’t recognize it as I turn around to see who it is.

Both Elena and Isa seem eager to know as well. I take in his smooth brown skin and onyx eyes. His black hair is perfectly styled and slicked back, and his dark clothes accentuate his muscular body.

His smile is wide as he looks at me, showing off his dimples and bright-white teeth. “Jonathan?!” I question, not believing my eyes.

He lets out a chuckle and nods before I run up and pounce on him with a tight hug. He lets out an “Oof!” as he catches me.